So much for peace talks: a huge convoy of Belarusian tanks and troop carriers is seen near the border with Ukraine as Kyiv and Moscow begin talks
- Ukraine has said it will demand a ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of the Russians
- Moscow officials remained silent about what the talks could lead to
- A convoy of Belarusian military vehicles was seen heading to the southern border today
- President Vladimir Zelenski has admitted he does not expect a positive result
- Observers have warned that talks could be a pretext for Moscow to step up the attack
- Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko seems ready to join the Russian invasion
A convoy of Belarusian tanks and troop carriers was seen queuing near the Ukrainian border today as Moscow and Kyiv officials began peace talks.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Green he admitted that he was not confident in the positive decision, adding that he owed his people at least to try to get involved.
He was reluctant to agree to conversations Belarusa country used as a base for the Russian invasion and now ready to join the war, offering to meet instead in Istanbul, Warsaw or Baku.
Ukraine has said it will call for a ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Russian forces, but Moscow remains silent on what the noon talks in Gomel, southeastern Belarus, could lead to.
But today, columns of Belarusian military vehicles were spotted heading east from the southwest corner of the country in what appeared to be preparations for joining the invasion of Ukraine.
Observers, meanwhile, have warned that talks could be a pretext for Moscow to step up its attacks on Ukraine if Kyiv officials deny Russian demands.
Ukrainian, Russian officials meet today for peace talks in Belarus, as observers warn that talks could be a pretext for Moscow to step up its attack if Kyiv officials reject Russian demands
Columns of Belarusian military vehicles were spotted heading east from the southwest corner of the country today in what appears to be preparations for joining the invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted he is not confident of a positive decision, adding that he owes his people at least an attempt to commit.
Among those in attendance were Ukraine’s defense minister, chief adviser in the president’s office and deputy foreign minister.
But while Ukraine sent its defense minister and other senior officials, the Russian delegation was led by Putin’s cultural adviser, an unlikely envoy to end the war and perhaps a sign of Moscow’s view of the talks.
Meanwhile, ahead of today’s peace talks, Russian military officials ordered heavy strategic bomber flights as part of what appears to be efforts to prevent international aid from reaching Ukraine.
Observers have warned that the order suggests that Vladimir Putin’s forces are preparing to intensify bombing of Ukraine in the coming days.
Richard Nass, president of the Foreign Affairs Council, warned that recent events meant that the most likely development of the conflict was a “conventional” military escalation from Russia, not a diplomatic breakthrough.
He wrote to us on Twitter that he was speculating that Moscow was using the talks to “seem somewhat reasonable” to delay sanctions against Russia, as well as to help Ukraine.
But he warned that Kremlin forces were likely to turn to “more destructive munitions” if peace talks failed, using the failure to negotiate a diplomatic breakthrough as a pretext.
Delegations from Ukraine and Russia, including aides to Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky, hold peace talks in Gomel region of Belarus
Ukrainian delegation leaves Belarusian military helicopter after landing in Gomel region ahead of peace talks with Russian officials on Monday
Russian delegation gets off bus in Gomel region of Belarus ahead of peace talks with Ukraine on Monday
War in Ukraine, day 5: Russian forces are now trying to bypass Kyiv and encircle it from the west. Troops fighting the Crimea continue to succeed and are likely to surround Mariupol soon, while reaching the outskirts of a key Ukrainian nuclear power plant. Fighting in the east continues to be heavy, with no breakthrough for Putin
Kyiv has been fighting for days against Russian attempts to break through the outskirts of the city, with tanks now trying to encircle it and a large column of armor approaching amid fears that fighting could worsen
As superior but determined Ukrainian forces have delayed Russia’s offensive and sanctions have crippled Russia’s economy, the military has confirmed that its nuclear forces are on high alert, following an order from President Vladimir Putin.
Although this raised the unimaginable specter of nuclear conflict, it was unclear what practical effect it had.
Until Monday morning in Kyiv there was a tense calm, explosions and shootings were heard in the cities of eastern Ukraine and terrified Ukrainian families huddled at night in shelters, basements or corridors.
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